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Live From Rest podcast # 28
Why Faith Means Believing is Seeing with Nicky Gumbel

In this episode, Steve Smith welcomes Nicky Gumbel, the vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton and the pioneer of the Alpha course. Together, they explore the powerful connection between faith and doubt, and how these two forces work together in times of struggle. They explore the reality of clinging to faith in times of uncertainty — doubt doesn’t diminish faith but rather strengthens it. By tuning in, you’ll gain insight into how you can nourish your faith even in the darkest times, and learn how to rejoice in the Lord, just as Habakkuk did when faced with adversity.

Join Steve Smith and Nicky Gumbel as they offer a message of hope and resilience. Remember, the power of faith means that believing is seeing, even in the face of adversity.

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

  1. Gain insight into how doubt and faith can coexist, and how embracing doubt can fortify your faith during difficult times.
  2. Discover how Nicky Gumbel’s journey through his wife’s health struggles and the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the power of faith in adversity.
  3. Learn how the message of Habakkuk can inspire you to rejoice in God, even in bleak circumstances, and develop spiritual resilience.

Resources

 

Episode Highlights

Faith and Doubt as Two Sides of the Same Coin

  • Habakkuk 3 highlights the prophet's struggle and eventual rejoicing in God despite difficult circumstances.
  • Faith is like singing in the darkness, because you trust that the light is coming.

Steve: “Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.”

  • Nicky explains that certain truths, like 2+2=4, do not require faith, but love and faith are open to doubt.
  • A spouse's love illustrates how faith and doubt coexist.
  • Focusing on God's Word during tough times nurtures faith.

Nicky: “We have to feed our faith and starve our doubts, not starve our faith and feed our doubts.”

Personal Challenges and Faith in Practice

  • Nicky faced numerous challenges that tested his faith, including his wife's health issues and the impact of COVID-19.
  • Deep in a moment of fear, Nicky realized that Jesus is in the boat with him, providing comfort and faith.
  • Feeding faith and focusing on God's presence during difficult times is part and parcel of having a faith powerful enough that believing is seeing.

Rejoicing in the Lord: Habakkuk's Example

  • We are called to rejoice in the Lord, even when things seem bleak.
  • Nicky recalls his own experience of reading Habakkuk at a young age and the challenge of rejoicing in a relationship with God.
  • We can begin by focusing on our relationship with God, even when visible circumstances are difficult.

Nicky: “Even if there's no fruit on the vine, what you can do is rejoice in the Lord.”

  • Nicky connects this idea to the definition of faith in Hebrews 11, highlighting that faith is the evidence of things not seen.

The Role of Faith in Believing is Seeing

  • Steve and Nicky discuss the concept of "believing is seeing" and how faith involves choosing to believe.
  • St. Augustine said, "I believe in order that I might understand," emphasizing the role of faith in understanding.
  • It can be difficult to maintain your faith in hard times. That’s when it becomes a powerful choice to believe rather than break faith.
  • Nicky shares a personal story of losing a friend and the choice to keep believing despite the lack of visible evidence of God's presence.

Prayer and Encouragement for Listeners

  • Nicky prays for peace, love, and joy for those experiencing tough times, emphasizing the importance of trusting and rejoicing in the Lord.
  • The prayer includes a request for the Holy Spirit to bring peace and comfort to those listening.
  • No matter the darkness, choose to believe. Rejoice in the Lord; light will come.

About Nicky Gumbel

Nicky Gumbel is the vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton in London and a passionate advocate for faith-driven transformation. Known worldwide as the pioneer of the Alpha course, Nicky has helped introduce millions of people to Christianity, offering a welcoming space to explore life's big questions. His journey from a former agnostic to a leading voice in the Christian community has shaped his dedication to spreading hope and faith.

Beyond Alpha, Nicky is also deeply involved in church planting across the UK and has authored the popular Bible in One Year app, making daily Scripture readings accessible to people around the globe. Through his leadership, teaching, and innovative outreach efforts, Nicky Gumbel continues to inspire individuals to explore and strengthen their faith such that believing is seeing, particularly in times of doubt and uncertainty. His work offers guidance, rooted in personal experience, that has transformed countless lives.

Connect with Nicky Gumbel on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Enjoyed this Episode?

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Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, then leave us a review. You can also share this episode with your friends and family. No matter how overwhelming the doubt or how dark the circumstances are, there is always hope in faith — even when life feels uncertain. Remember: believing is seeing. By trusting in God, embracing the journey, and choosing to rejoice, even in hardship, faith can sustain and strengthen us in the most difficult times.

Have any questions? You can connect with me on Instagram.

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